Collegium Institute invites all graduate students and other interested individuals from the University of Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia Area to join its graduate fellows for the spring colloquia series focusing on John Henry Newman’s The Idea of a University. Fellows will explore excerpts of Newman’s book paired with various snapshots of the modern academy.

All readings are provided free of charge and refreshments are served!

Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in Arch 107. We will read Discourses 1-4 of Part I which, following an introduction to the university as a whole, argue for the place of theology in the university. We will juxtapose that to the mission statement of Penn’s Religious Studies Department as well as with the video welcome to Trump University.

Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in Arch 106. We will read Discourses 5-8 of Part I on the pursuit of knowledge in the university along with David Brooks’ seminal article on the over-professionalization of elite liberal arts students, in preparation for a lecture by Anthony Grafton on Friday, April 8.

Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in Arch 107. We will read Discourses 1-3 of Part II on Christianity and Literature in preparation for a lecture by Joseph Bottom on Thursday, April 27 on the same topic.

For more information or to receive reading materials, contact Katie Becker: kbec@sas.upenn.edu